JESUS SPEAKING

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was Hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”(Matthew 4: 1 – 4)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Fasting is a practice which elevates an individual’s inward Spirit above the desires of their flesh. While fasting in the wilderness for forty days, Jesus was tempted by the devil, who implored Him to perform a miracle that would end His hunger. The Lord promptly rebuked Him; quoting an old testament passage that emphasizes the sustaining power of God’s word and the importance of obeying the Scriptures. Food is beneficial for our bodies, but the word of God is nourishment for our souls.

As the story goes, a Haifa policeman who knew his Bible well, began chasing a gang of smugglers. The criminals had used a donkey-drawn carriage to escape. Although the smugglers got away, the policeman managed to capture some of the donkeys. The wise officer made excellent use of his knowledge of scripture; in particular, Isaiah 1: 3, which says, “the ox knows his owner, and the donkey, his master’s crib.” He withheld food from the beasts of burden for several days before turning them loose. The hungry animals led the police directly to the smuggler’s hide-out!”

Those who desire a close relationship with God and a mastery over their fleshly desires must seek-out and become familiar with the Holy Scriptures. The word of God is sacred and eternal; it is a teacher and friend to all those who yearn to accomplish God’s will. When we lack knowledge and seek guidance, we need only turn to the bible for answers. Our Spirits feed on the word, and thus a healthy Spirit will devour, cherish, and commit to memory, the sacred scriptures.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts. Apart from You we can do nothing, but with You, we can accomplish great things. May we feed on Your word in our hearts, and use the scriptures to guide our thoughts and actions. Sustain us through the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we might withstand temptation and overcome suffering. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!